Top Story

• Collaboration to color supply chain in 2013
  Fast data will replace big data in 2013, social will continue to transform the supply chain, and both cost and risk management will move from static to dynamic models, according to this list of predictions from E2open CEO Mark Woodward. Supply Chain Management Review (12/25)     

• Other News

• Patterson Cos. to change veterinary unit name to Patterson Veterinary Supply
  Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal (12/27)     

Operations and Technology

• Analysis: HR, compliance will be issues for CFOs in 2013
  Next year will be one of compliance for finance chiefs as regulations in areas such as health care and 401(k) fee disclosures go into effect, Joanne Sammer writes. Plus, any "fiscal cliff" deal is likely to affect human resources practices and the CFO's role, Sammer writes. Business Finance (12/26)     

Sales and Marketing

• Mistakes that could kill your sales organization
  Poor decisions by sales leaders could be hurting your company, writes Mark Synek. For example, your business might be in trouble if leaders are too attached to the current structure of the sales organization or if they fail to study the behavior of your buyers. "Without researching how customers make a purchase decision, your sales force could be misaligned," Synek writes. Sales Benchmark Index/Sales Force Effectiveness Blog (12/24)     

• Motivational tips for teams with multiple needs
  A number of tactics may help you motivate your sales team, writes Christian Arno of Lingo24. While monetary rewards can be effective, other strategies, such as offering recognition for a job well done and giving your workers some flexibility, can also help. Cultural factors may influence which tactics are most effective for your team, Arno notes. TrainingMag.com (12/26)     

• How to become a terrific tweeter
  To write better tweets, skip wordy titles in favor of facts and steal from pop culture for instant recognition and resonance, Snapapp CEO Seth Lieberman writes. Find a good rhythm for sending timely tweets, bring in associates for a collaborative feel, and try to inspire interaction by running polls, sweepstakes and contests instead of making your tweets one-sided. BtoB Magazine (12/19)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by NAW SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• The best salesperson you've ever met could be serving you dinner (Forbes)

• How tech will affect distributors next year (Modern Distribution Management)

• Airgas chairman: Uncertainty, weak growth plague economy (Bloomberg)

• Ace Hardware is reportedly near a deal to switch paint brands (Home Channel News)

• Applied Industrial Technologies purchases Cleveland-based distributor (RTT News)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

The Business Leader

• Treat your workers like a pack of huskies
  As individuals, husky dogs are notoriously headstrong, but put them in a sled team and they'll work together, Jack Zenger writes. Many employees are the same: Their productivity and value only emerge when you put them in the right context. "Sometimes ... you will never recognize an employee's full potential until they are placed in the right area with the right people," Zenger writes. Forbes (12/26)     

• Why bosses should join the culture club
  Many bosses neglect culture in favor of agonizing over products and services, writes S. Chris Edmonds. That's a mistake: Culture, after all, is the driver of all company activity. "Because of this fact, corporate culture may be your company's most important asset," Edmonds argues. SmartBrief/SmartBlog on Leadership (12/26)     

NAW Insider

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SmartQuote

If all misfortunes were laid in one common heap whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be contented to take their own and depart." --Socrates, Greek philosopher